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Green tech finds (11/19/09)

Want your phone to sound like a woodpecker? Got’cha covered… that and more at this week’s green tech finds.

Scots get paid to recycle: British supermarket chain Tesco has been testing out Tomra recycling machines (which “pays” recyclers with reward points) at one branch in Edinburgh, and is so happy with the results that its expanding its offerings to another store… with more planned.

Research product sustainability right in the store:GoodGuide has released an iPhone app that “…lets you scan bar codes for what the guide calls “impartial” health, environmental, and social responsibility ratings of not only the products you are scanning but their companies, too.” (via CNET Health Tech)

Plug-in electricity management: Want to know which appliances are the biggest energy hogs… and track their electricity use? Zerofootprint claims its TalkingPlug will be able to do all of this and more… without any expensive wiring or meter upgrades.

CO2 + Sunlight = Ethanol:Joule Biotechnologies claims its developed a process that “…can use direct microbial conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbons, powered by solar energy, creating biofuels such as ethanol without biomass or agricultural feedstocks…” (via Green Living Ideas)

Farm-fresh food online:Local Dirt is a new online service that extends farmers market hours to 24/7. Consumers and farmers can come together to buy and sell whatever’s available… (via sustainablog)

Move over, bike messengers: Adam Schacter’s CarGo concept is designed for hauling small cargo loads in an urban environment… with the flexibility to expand for slightly larger loads. (via Gas 2.0)